Love the Prophet through his character
Muslims should express love for Prophet Muhammad by sending blessings on him and studying and embodying his character, sincerity, courage, loyalty, and trust in Allah, rather than reducing remembrance to cultural celebration, because those qualities explain Islam’s enduring influence.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- Questions how Muslims should commemorate the Prophet’s birth and distinguish Islamic remembrance from ordinary birthday customs.
- Urges frequent salat wa taslim and deeper love through studying the Prophet’s life, Sunnah, and character.
- Cites Thomas Carlyle, Will Durant, Gandhi, and Michael Hart to argue that Islam spread through the Prophet’s character and leadership, not coercion.
- Contrasts the Prophet’s unifying reform with empires, weapons, oppression, and destruction.
- Closes with repentance, prayers for believers and Palestinians, and the congregational prayer.
In the khateeb's words
“Which celebration is Islamic, related to Islam, and which one is not? We have to be careful, we have to be extra, extra careful.”
“very dedicated to Islam, very sincere to Islam, and not only to the way of Islam and the teaching of Islam, but also to his friends, his friends, his followers.”
“He is the first one absolutely responsible for the international influence of Islam all over the world”
For the dinner table
Today’s khutbah asked us to think about how we remember and love Prophet Muhammad, especially during Rabi al-Awwal. The khateeb said that love is shown through sending blessings on the Prophet and learning the Qur’an, Sunnah, and Seerah, not only through celebrations or words. He highlighted qualities such as sincerity, courage, dedication, loyalty, and trust in Allah, arguing that these qualities, not coercion, helped Islam reach people. He also reminded us that the Prophet united people and challenged false beliefs and oppression. We can honor him this week by studying his life, practicing one of his qualities, and praying for people suffering in Palestine.
- What is one quality of Prophet Muhammad that you would like to practice this week?
- How can learning about the Prophet’s life change the way we behave?
- What does loving the Prophet look like beyond simply saying loving words?
More on the Prophets & seerah
IOK · Diamond Bar, CA · Sep 19, 2026Learn the Prophet's life to love him“Love is something that grows through knowledge.”
Be mindful of Allah, and He will protect you.9:56Al-Sabereen · Harrisburg, PA · Oct 24, 2026Defend the Prophet by living his example
No one can walk for you.5:06MCC San Diego · Rancho Bernardo, CA · Oct 3, 2026Prophetic mercy meets people where they are